Samyang updates 8mm F3.5 fisheye with CPU for Nikon

Samyang has updated its 8mm F3.5 fisheye lens in Nikon mount, adding a CPU to allow better-integrated operation in auto exposure modes. The Samyang AE 8mm 1:3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS allows for full control over exposure from the camera, enables i-TTL flash exposure control, and records lens-related data into image EXIF data. Like its predecessor, the optical design includes 10 elements in 7 groups, with one hybrid aspheric element. The lens is manual focus only, and is designed for use on DX format SLRs. It will be priced at €325 (approx $430 / £280).

Samyang AE 8mm 1:3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS

Utterly new lens with an integrated microprocessor compatible with Nikon DSLR cameras.

Kraków, November 25th 2011 - Delta Company, the sole distributor of Samyang products for Europe is about to release new lens - Samyang AE 8mm 1:3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS with the Nikon mount. This new, improved version is to replace the previous model without a microprocessor.

Samyang AE 8mm 1:3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS has been fitted with an electronic circuit, and just like other AE models allows for full control of exposure parameters from the camera level, and makes it easy to use i-TTL flash automatics. Owing to the integrated microprocessor, the light measurement system is effective in all photography modes and for all types of Nikon DSLR cameras. AE line additionally records exposure parameters and focus value in the Exif format.

Samyang 8mm 1:3.5 Aspherical IF MC Fish-eye CS is the high-class wide-angle lens designed for DSLR cameras with APS-C/DX sensor. This really is a sophisticated optical construction based on ten lenses arranged in seven groups, including one hybrid-aspherical lens which reduces chromatic aberration level. All lenses are covered with multi-layered, anti-reflexive coating of new generation. Optical parameters are thus of the highest-possible quality.

Comments

I just got this, for the Nikon, with the Nikon chip -- and I have NO idea how it works. :( The instructions that came with it were quite light -- but it says to set the camera to manual focus, manual exposure -- yet isn't that the point of the chip? Also, it attaches very very tightly -- scarily so, I was wondering if I was going to break something. Hopefully this will loosen up over time. But if anyone can explain the whole autofocus thing to me, I'd greatly appreciate it!

I put a dandelion on my 8mm Rokinon. SHARP clean lens. I also have the Rokinon AE 14mm f2.8 with factory chip. The only thing about the chips, like the dandelion, the aperture has to be controlled by the camera. Aperture ring must be set to the minimum like a D lens. So in effect you end up with manual focus G lens. This does NOT act like a P lens. This is NOT good for shooting video. I like to manually control the aperture with the ring. However if the chip is on the lens and it fools the camera that a G lens is attached, the camera will control the aperture. The way around this is to enter the manual lens data in the menu and put very thin tape over the contacts in the camera. This way the camera is not getting any info from the lens. Manual aperture and manual focus.... Just my 2 cents. Love the lens by the way... once i calibrated infinity. There's info on the web on how to easily fix that.

This is welcome news. I've been mulling over pulling the trigger on the unchipped model for some time, but the lack of a chip for my D90 gave me pause. I can handle manual settings, but I've got enough gadgetry and options to juggle as it is. Manual focus never was a problem, other than the manual-focus-unfriendly viewfinders in modern DSLRs, but that's another story.

I have several pre-auto-focus, pre-CPU Nikon lenses, and they work fine on my Nikon D80 and D7000. The basic things to note -

(a) the lens must be of the AI type or later, or retrofitted to be AI-type (if made before 1977).

(b) The automatic diaphragm will work fine (close by itself at the movement of exposure and reopen after) but you should use it on M setting (Manual exposure - you select aperture on the lens and shutter speed on the camera - not too bad since you have instant display of the results) and focus manually, On the D700 (and I think also on the D7000) you can use A setting and let the camera select shutter speed automatically, though not all exposure measurement modes will work.

I think it is safe to say that non-CPU Nikon-compatible lenses (like Carl Zeiss and Samyang's), will work fine within these restrictions.

Sure, but given the option I'd like to be able to use the meter in my camera. It's saves some time "guestimating" the exposure. My D5100 doesn't have a meter readout on non-chipped lenses. So if this lens costs roughly $20 more than it's previous non-chipped variant, I'll spring for the chip.

The non-chipped predecessor was tracking at about $290 the other week. If this one runs $300-320 I'll go for the chip. The benefits cafenated listed below make that worth it to me.

The problem with guesstimating your exposure on the Nikon D5100 is the camera itself- it is too automated to work with non-CPU lenses. That is why I bought the D300- it will work perfectlky with these lenses.

So you pay an extra $150 for exif info. As to auto focus set the lens at f/5.6 and point it in the general direction of what you want to shoot. Just mind your feet and shadow. Question is will it stop down the apature blades in or does it still have to be set manualy.

As I understand it, only Nikon's pro bodies meter with non-chipped lenses, which means that with anything less than a D300 the previous version of the lens was manual exposure only. That might be a bit *too* hardcore for some people.

This doesn't sound like much use on more advanced crop cameras. By using non-cpu lens data setup you get aperture, exposure info, and more in the exif already. TTL Flash, distance to subject have little use on a fisheye. I suppose if they incorporate this into the 35 or 85 it would make a great deal of sense and we will likely see it in those soon.

As far as TTL Flash, distance to subject, you are making a big assumption that nobody wants to shoot anything other than landscapes, and therefore don't need distance info. I've seen many images such as one of the most popular users of fisheye - skateboarder photographers - where the subject is human, in the center of frame, and close the the camera. You may think a given lens should only be used a certain way, but TTL flash is always good, not that manual flash is so hard, but carrying a flash meter or calculating distance is not always fun.

Why?Samyang (or Rokinon or Bower or whatever it is named outside European Union, they just put different badge, it's not their fault but samsung was complaining) has DEDICATED (you don't need an adapter) 7.5mm Fisheye lens for micro four thirds, that has better optics and IQ, is tiny compared to this one (it's smaller than oly collapsible 14-42 kit), weighs 2 times less and cheaper as well (280-290€ with tax).

I think right in the news text you should say if that lens is for full format or cropped sensors only. Maybe insiders know it already, i don't. Sometimes I don't even know the meaning of DX vs. FX (?), so more general terms like "APS-C sized sensors" are appreciated.

In the specs - after opening the news item - i read "APS-C/DX" sensor. Still i think you should say it directly in the news teaser that's on your starting page.

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